Secondary school protests escalate as 24 schools move to remote learning
Twenty-four secondary schools across the Alpes-Maritimes have moved to remote learning this Friday following another day of protests and disturbances across the Côte d’Azur.
Thursday, 1 October saw the student mobilisation intensify, with 24 schools affected by blockades in the Alpes-Maritimes.
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While demonstrations remained peaceful at some schools, serious incidents were reported in Nice and Antibes, leading to dozens of arrests and several injuries.
Students have been protesting since Monday over their learning conditions, calling for issues including teacher absences, a lack of resources, ageing facilities and overcrowded classrooms to be addressed.
In Nice, tensions were particularly high around Lycée Albert-Calmette, where projectiles were thrown towards police and CRS officers used tear gas to disperse groups.
Protesters later moved towards the Jean-Médecin area.
In Antibes, disturbances around Lycée Professionnel Jacques-Dolle spread towards the town centre.
A police officer was injured and required five days in hospital, bringing the number of officers injured in the Alpes-Maritimes since the movement began to 16.Other demonstrations remained calmer.
Between 200 and 250 students gathered outside Lycée Pierre-et-Marie-Curie in Menton alongside parents and teachers, while a peaceful blockade was also reported at Lycée Carnot in Cannes.
59 people taken into police custody
According to the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture, 72 people were arrested during Thursday’s demonstrations, with 59 taken into police custody.
Since the protests began on Monday, a total of 174 arrests have been recorded in the department.
Firefighters carried out 45 interventions in Nice, Antibes, Cagnes-sur-Mer and Cannes, including responses to 37 fires involving bins, rubbish or containers.
Several people were also treated for minor injuries.The unrest extended beyond the Côte d’Azur.
In the Bouches-du-Rhône, 43 schools were affected on Thursday, with nearly 5,000 students taking part.
Eighty-four arrests and 84 fires were reported across the department, while Marseille’s bus, tram and metro services were suspended during the day.
24 schools move online this Friday
Following four consecutive days of disruption, education authorities decided to move 24 secondary schools in Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Menton and Grasse to remote learning from Friday, 2 October.
Affected schools include Parc Impérial, Albert-Calmette, Auguste-Renoir, Magnan, Vauban and Pierre-et-Marie-Curie.
Parents at several schools were informed on Thursday afternoon that online lessons would begin on Friday and continue until further notice.
The measure is intended to allow students to continue lessons while preventing further gatherings that could lead to public order disturbances.
Secondary schools in the Var are expected to remain open on Friday, despite protests in the department on Thursday.